Alabama

A jolly holiday at Walt Disney World

Photo by Matt CuthbertCinderella Castle is covered in Christmas lights during the holiday season.

I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Disney World during the holidays last year. If you think this place is magical the rest of the year, wait til you see it at Christmas. They must get an extra order of pixie dust for the holidays, and each park has its own unique way to celebrate the Holidays.

As you enter the Magic Kingdom, there is a huge Christmas tree in Town Square with presents and a train circling at the bottom of it. Of course, all of Main Street is decorated with greenery and lights. The castle is more spectacular than I have ever seen it; it is absolutely amazing. They drape every inch of it with lights so it looks like it is covered in icicles. Off of Main Street, there is a meet-and-greet with Santa where you can have photos made or just give him your list of what you want for Christmas. The parade is as Christmassy as it gets, with Mickey and Minnie and all of the gang in their Holiday attire. If you are there for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (a special ticketed event), you can also get all of the hot chocolate and cookies you can handle (or there is an apple and milk option).

Disney's Hollywood Studios offers the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. New York Street is literally covered from the ground all the way to the top of each building with lights. There is no more than a few inches of space between lights. Not only are there lights EVERYWHERE, but they are choreographed with the Christmas music playing over the speakers. You can really take your time and just stroll (or dance if you like) down the street (Don't forget to look for Hidden Mickeys throughout - they're in there!). If you are one of the really lucky families, you may get chosen to flip the enormous light switch that turns the lights on every evening!

Animal Kingdom is also decorated for the Holidays, but it seems to be in a more subtle manner. Their Christmas tree is just outside the front of the gate. I think the most Christmassy thing to be seen there is Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade, in which everyone has their Safari Christmas style going on. If you head over to Camp Minnie-Mickey, they have carolers singing, and you can get your Character Photos taken with Goofy dressed as Santa. Mickey, Minnie, and Donald are also there in their Holiday best.

EPCOT celebrates with their Holidays Around the World, which really gives you a taste of Christmas from every country. The park is beautifully decorated with wreaths and lights. At the American Adventure, they have Santa's Village setup, where you can meet the more American version of Santa Claus. Some of the other countries offer Father Christmas and such characters as Italy's Labefana and France's Pere Noel. I think the Illuminations: Reflections of Earth laser/fireworks show with the holiday tag is worth the price of admission alone. It is a spectacular show with an emphasis on the Holidays around the globe.

I really appreciate the fact that we have had the opportunity to see all of the parks at Walt Disney World in their full Holiday/Christmas attire. The weather is much cooler (cold, in fact, on some days) in December and the nights come much quicker, but if you get the chance, it is absolutely worth seeing the way Disney does Christmas.